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J Reconstr Microsurg 2006; 22(2): 113-118
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-932505
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Decompression of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve in the Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica

Ivica Ducic1 , A. Lee Dellon2 , 3 , Nathan S. Taylor1
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C.
  • 2Institute for Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  • 3Division of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted: September 1, 2005

Publication Date:
03 February 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a painful mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Neurolysis is reserved for patients with MP who respond poorly to medical management. This study retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 41 patients who underwent either unilateral or bilateral neurolysis of the LFCN for a total of 48 procedures. Twenty-nine procedures involved neurolysis of the LFCN alone and 19 procedures involved neurolysis of the LFCN and resection of one or more additional nerves (ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral). Overall, surgical outcome was considered by patients to be successful in 77 percent of cases. LFCN neurolysis alone had better results, compared to combined LFCN neurolysis and nerve resection. The conclusion is that neurolysis of the LFCN is an effective treatment for MP in properly selected patients.

KEYWORDS

Neurolysis - lateral femoral cutaneous nerve - meralgia paresthetica

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Ivica DucicM.D. Ph.D. 

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